Carson, Calif. — The new season is upon the LA Galaxy, who look to mend from last season in search of silverware. Last season was not a success after losing to their bitter rivals LAFC in the playoffs. However, the team had a few positives to take away from 2019. Here is our LA Galaxy Season Preview.
Inclusions of Cristian Pavón and the rise of veteran player Daniel Steres in the defense all are notable factors. With a well rounded squad to start their new MLS campaign the LA Galaxy will look to fight for the glories MLS champion title.
It has been quite the busy offseason for the LA Galaxy front office. After the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the team was left wondering who their new superstar and striker would be. While it took quite the negotiation, the Carson-based team unveiled the signing of Mexican international Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
While the signing of Chicharito may of been huge it wasn’t the only addition made to the team. Inclusions like Aleksandar Katai and Emiliano Insua will play dividend to the team. Meanwhile, key departures like Uriel Antuna and Romain Alessandrini leave big gaps in this Galaxy team.
Can the LA Galaxy surpass the Zlatan era?
Zlatan was probably the best striker the LA Galaxy have seen since the days of Robbie Keane. Scoring a total of 53 goals in 56 appearances for the Galaxy mean the team lost a lot of goals. Adding Chicharito was a great call to make. But, will the Mexican striker bag as many goals?
The answer is probably not. However, the team may benefit from this departure rather than suffer from it. With Zlatan at the top, it seemed like everything needed to pass through his feet. At times, the Galaxy looked very predictable and very tactically disappointing.
Now, the Galaxy has a chance to play exactly how manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto intends them to play. This means more wing play, deeper runs being made by the strikers and midfielders. All of this suits the play of Chicharito and it may prove to better soccer being played and better results.
We are ready.
Estamos listos. #LAGalaxy #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/canht6j85H
— Guillermo Barros Schelotto (@GBS_Oficial) February 27, 2020
How will this Galaxy defense play?
The biggest concern for this team has to be the defense. Conceding a total of 59 goals last season was a big issue and something that needed addressed. However, coming into this new MLS season, the team hasn’t really made much of a change in that defense department.
With only the inclusion of Emiliano Insua, the team still question the center back partnership of Steres and Giancarlos Gonzalez. The Galaxy are rumored to be bringing in Argentinian center back Alan Franco from Independiente. If the center backs that do play go out and perform to the expectations set for them, the Galaxy should have no worries. However, the question only stands if they will do it.
Can the LA Galaxy make a deep run in the Playoffs?
There’s no doubt that the Galaxy has a very talented squad. On paper, the Galaxy should be competing for a top spot in the Western Conference. However, as far as making a deep playoff run? That’s up for debate.
The biggest concern for the Galaxy has to be the lack of depth. While they may have players on the roster who can come in and play, they don’t have much talent past their starting XI. If the Galaxy were to make the playoffs as, momentum is key.
Having players who can come off the bench and be difference makers is important and right now the team lacks that. A lot will fall on the shoulders of the starting XI players to get the job done.
Is it possible? Of course. But, the team will be draining their key players.
©hicharito.
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 28, 2020
Prediction for the LA Galaxy’s season
While it’s hard to say where this team will end up after the regular season is over, I dare to say they will make the playoffs. How far they can go is up in the air for now. The Galaxy still has plenty of time to reinforce the team.
Until they actually do it, I can see an early exit for the Galaxy. One thing is for certain: they will be fun to watch. Expect fast-pace soccer and plenty of jaw dropping moments from Pavón and Chicharito.
In the end the Galaxy have quite the year ahead of them. Right now, they have all the tools to make it a great one.
